Sunshine State of Mind

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Is everything awesome? We review Legoland Florida. May 28, 2018

Show notes

We learned that one of the things on our "Summer of 2018 Florida Bucket List" has hit a little snag, talk about Disney food, then get into a detailed review of Legoland Florida. We discuss the rides, the atmosphere, the water park, and if it's worth the price of a ticket.

This show includes:

Opening for massive man-made lagoon on hold for now.
- http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/opening-for-massive-man-made-lagoon-on-hold-for-now
The food at Pixar Fest
- https://www.buzzfeed.com/keelyflaherty/i-tried-a-ton-of-the-pixar-foods-at-disneyland-and-heres?
We review Legoland Florida
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Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Florida Tourist Trap Alternatives May 21, 2018

Show notes

We breakdown and discuss a list we found online titled "The 11 worst tourist traps in Florida and where to go instead", offering our own take and opinions of some of these places that made the list.

This show includes:

Wallethub's 2018’s Best Summer Travel Destinations
- https://wallethub.com/edu/best-summer-travel-destinations/3792
Beer and Wine expands at the Magic Kingdom
- https://www.eater.com/2018/5/18/17368102/disney-world-alcohol-sit-down-restaurants
"The 11 worst tourist traps in Florida and where to go instead"
- http://www.thisisinsider.com/tourist-traps-florida-2017-5
Water parks vs. Florida springs
Discovery Cove vs. Swimming with Manatees
Gatorland vs. the Everglades
Sanibel Island seashells vs. Venice Beach shark teeth
South Beach vs. Miami Beach
Orange groves vs. Strawberry picking
Daytona 500 vs. the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Key West sunsets vs. Anywhere else on the Gulf Coast
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Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Florida Face-Off: Animal Kingdom vs. Busch Gardens May 14, 2018

Show notes

In our first "Florida Face-off" we compare Florida's two premiere zoological theme parks; Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens Tampa. Which park has the better rides and attractions? Better theming and atmosphere? Better animal exhibits? And which park offers the most value for your money? This battle turned out to be a lot closer than we expected!

Let us know your thoughts, or recommend a "Florida Faceoff" that you'd like us to discuss in the future.

Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Ten Tips for Saving Money at Walt Disney World May 07, 2018

Show notes

A trip to Walt Disney World is certainly not cheap; admission, hotels, food, drinks, all that stuff can add up to a lot in a hurry! But there are a few ways to help take some of the pressure off your wallet when you visit. As a couple of Florida theme park veterans and annual pass holders, we've learned a few tricks over the years to make our own visits a little less expensive, and in this episode we're going to share a little of what we know with you.

This show includes:

Universal Orlando is offering a BOGO ticket deal for Florida residents
- http://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-news/universal-orlando-resort-offering-florida-residents-bogo-deal
Walt Disney World money saving tips
How to get free water
How we save money by bringing in our own food
Staying off-property vs. on-property
Skip the Park Hopper passes, save money
Take advatage of free child admission
Handing your camera to a pro Disney photographer
Free souveniers for the kids
Where to find discounted Disney Gift Cards
If it's summer in Florida, it's going to rain! So plan ahead and bring your own poncho
Free soda at Epcot
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Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Free Beer, Salty Springs & Sesame Streets Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

Sea World announces a new Sesame Street land for Spring of 2019, free beer returns to Busch Gardens, and "Fast & Furious: Supercharged" at Universal Studio opens to lukewarm reviews.

We also visit Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey for a kayaking trip that included a close encounter with a pod of dolphins.

Sea World's new Sesame Street land is on the way for Spring of 2019
- https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/05/02/seaworlds-sesame-street-will-open-in-orlando-spring-2019
Free beer is back at Busch Gardens Tampa
- http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/events/Free-beer-is-back-this-summer-for-Busch-Gardens-visitors_167803264
A Fast & Furious flop at Universal?
- https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/the-new-fast-and-furious-supercharged-attraction-might-be-universals-biggest-misstep-of-the-decade/Content?oid=13283327
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/werner-boyce
Kayaking Groupon at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
- https://www.groupon.com/biz/port-richey-fl/werner-boyce-salt-springs-state-park
Contact us!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

20 Secret Facts for 20 Wild Years: Animal Kingdom Apr 23, 2018

Show notes

Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World turns 20 years old this week! To celebrate we list off twenty fun facts that you might not have known about the park; like what happens to all that elephant poop? And what's really at the center of the Tree of Life?

Link to YouTube video mentioned on this episode:
- Ten Things you didn't know about Disney's Animal Kingdom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hiZ3aMgfk
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Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Ten Amazing Places Floridians Don't Want You to Know About Apr 19, 2018

Show notes

We traveled the state from coast to coast to find destinations all over Florida that native (and transplanted!) Floridians would rather keep to themselves. These are the non-Disney Worlds, the lesser known gems that aren't advertised all over those tourist brochures you see in the hotel lobby. These are Ten Amazing Places Floridians Don't Want You to Know About.

Link to the YouTube video that we reference to give you a look at each of of these locations; https://youtu.be/Rjro7-6bkUI

Lake Jesup, Sanford - The most "alligator infested lake in Central Florida" and a great, natural alternative to places like Gatorland.

Caspersen Beach, Venice - While all the tourists are up at Venice Beach, you'll be sifting for sharks teeth with the locals.

Downtown St. Petersburg - What many still think is a quiet little retirement town, has actually turned into a hip destination for arts, music and food lovers.

Thai Buddhist Temple, Tampa - The Sunday Thai market is a weekly, must see, food and musical festival set amongst a beautiful backdrop.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy - You don't have to head way out West to see wild bison and horses roaming in a natural unspoiled setting.

Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales - The centerpiece here is the 295-foot singing tower that sits among a world class botanical garden and bird sanctuary.

Everglades Safari Park, Miami - Just outside bustling Miami, you can finally take that airboat ride through the Everglades that's on your bucket list.

Falling Waters State Park, Chipley - In a state as flat as Florida, we bet you didn't know there was a place to see a 72-foot waterfall

Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna - We bet you didn't know there was a large underground cave system you could visit either.

Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring, Williston - Swim, snorkel, or scuba in crystal clear water in this amazing, one of a kind underground freshwater spring.

Have your own favorites? Let us know!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Our Summer of 2018 Florida Bucket List Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

We each came up with a list of the top five things we want to do around Florida this Summer, and reveal them to each other here. We look forward to reporting back, reviewing and sharing our experiences with these as the Summer of 2018 gets rolling.

Link to mentioned Washington Post article about St. Petersburg
- Once-sleepy St. Petersburg, Fla., awakens with vibrant arts and nightlife scenes
World's tallest swing, the StarFlyer soon to open in Orlando
- http://www.wfla.com/news/florida/worlds-tallest-swing-ride-starflyer-towering-over-orlando/1143173986
Link to info about Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers mentioned in this episode
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/skyway
Contact us and let us know where else we need to go!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

Worst Theme Park Attractions in Florida Apr 17, 2018

Show notes

We love the theme parks of Central Florida, but there are a handful of attractions that we would rather see bulldozed, updated, or replaced with something better. We discuss which attractions we'd like to see retired, and suggest some updates we'd like to see to improve others.

The story of Alien Encounter.
- www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150310/30034/depth-retrospective-extraterrorestrial-alien-encounter
Do you have your own "Least Favorites"? Let us know your thoughts and opinions!
- Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com
- Twitter: @FloridaPodcast

Universal Studios goes Fast & Furious Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

Universal Studios Florida just began showing off their new Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction during technical rehearsals this week before the grand opening in May. What do we think of Universal's decision to base a major attraction around this franchise? Does Universal Orlando rely too heavily on motion simulator rides? And we discuss, debate, and list our favorite motion simulator rides across Central Florida.

Thanks to @thetimtracker for giving us all a sneak peak of the new ride during it's soft opening this week.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk8Y5pB_FuU
Our own experience at the soft opening of Pandora: Flight of Passage
Is the Fast & Furious franchise strong enough to attract theme park fans to Universal?
Too many motion simulators at Universal?
We rank and discuss our favorite motion simulator rides in Florida.
Listener tweets
Rumors of a Moana "Fire Mountain" roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom.
- https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/04/24/move-over-volcano-bay-rumors-point-to-a-new-volcano-coming-to-magic-kingdom
Have your own favorites? Let us know!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
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Email: SunshineStatePodcast@gmail.com

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